Brighton 9/8/09

 
 

This was a GLPUC event.. although we missed most of it.. The Brighton Jazz fest was going on.. so the groups events were on Friday and Sat morning.. We did not arrive until almost noon on Sat (had to work on FRI). This is a nice park although I think the upper campground is probably nicer.. more trees.. the lower campground were we were is mostly like a big lawn.. but it is near the Lake.. cant really swim here but you can fish or launch a kayak. You can also rent Kayaks and canoes from the office. Wood is dispensed from a vending machine.. novel.. but a smallish bundle for $4. There is also a truck that drives around the campground in the eve with ice and wood. There are some hiking trails that go along the lake, and also more in the large park. Brighton has 2 rustic campgrounds as well as the modern one at Bishop Lake. The Rustic campground at Appleton is right across from the beach. This is a nice campground and again, not too far from home. I would like to come down and camp at the rustic campground some time.

~ and with this post I am finally caught up on my previous camping adventures.. on to our newest one which will be this weekend in Clare!

Ionia 8/24/07

 
 

This park reminded me of Sleepy Hollow, and reminded Amy of Ft Custer.. so we will say this is very like the parks of Southern Michigan. The lake is man made but pleasant enough to swim in. Lots of hiking trails.. sites are fairly private.. although the ones on the outer edge seem nicest (shady in the trees). A nice place that is close to home, I think we would come here again.

Fisherman's Island 8/19/07

 
 
 
 

For our last big camping trip before school we went to Fishermans Island near Charlevoix. This area is our old stompping ground, but this was the first time at this park. This is a rustic park with no running water, or bathrooms, power etc. But a *great park* The campground runs for several miles along the lake and there are 4 seperate camping area. We stayed at the South campground which I think is the nicest. They also have about 6 sites righ ON the lake that look very cool! You would definately want to try to get the pull though sites as they look the best. The sites are not real level or equal.. but the sites are amazing.. cut right into the woods.. very private and beautiful. We also saw lots of wildlife here.. During our 3 day stay we was: turkeys, racoon, rabbit, deer, skunk as well as birds, geese and swans. A very nice beach right on the lake.. sandy and clear Lake Michigan water. A private bay with nothing built on it is a wonderful lanscape. Due to low water Fisherman's Island is now Fisherman's Penninsula, but it is a nice walk to go out to the end of it. I also bought a kayak so this was my first time in that and it was extrodinary on the lake, on a sunny day.
There is wood available at a reasonalble price from the welding shop about 1/2 mile south of the campground, and there are hiking trials that connect the campgrounds that run for several miles through the woods.
This park is a gem.. and at only $10 a night it is a steal!

Island Lake 8/10/07

 
 

Island Lake NFCG
Rose City, MI

This was the second annual guys weekend with Drew (see last years entry on Wagner Lake). We again went to the Huron National Forest, this time at Island Lake. Nice campground right on a small lake.. nice to swim in and would have been great with a kayak. Wood at near by Rose City (see Rifle River entry). This is pretty area.. we did lots of geocaching and spent Saturday exploring the National Forest. There is a small hiking trail at the campground that leads through the wood along a ridge and over to the day use area at nearby Loon Lake.

Lake Michigan Rec Area 8/1/07

 
 
 
 
Lake Michigan Rec Area
St Ignace, MI

For our last day in the U.P. we decided to make some progress on the way home and headed down to the Straits. I didn't think we would have a problem getting a site at Lake Michigan Rec Area which is about 15 miles West of St Ignace, and I was wrong.. only 1 site left on the lake side and it wasn't very good. But we were only there for a night so we took it! Poor site, great view! This is a nice campground right on the lake.. if you want to go I suggest you make reservations early. The camphosts were great.. and this campground does have flush toilets, (but no showers). The Brevoort Lake store is only a mile away with wood, ice and anything else you need.

Monocle Lake 7/29/08

 
 
 
 
Monocole Lake
Brimley, MI

This is National Forest land that is about 15 miles outside of the Soo. We had driven through this campground before.. this time we stayed. It is a nice place with large secluded sites, and a nice lake. It was a nice enough place but in the end I wasn't left with a good feeling here, and I am not sure why. None of the sites are right on the water so you have the feeling of being in the woods more than on the lake. It is a beautiful area and cool sites, but I think if I did it again I would stay at Brimley so we were right on Lake Superior. We also took a day trip into Canada and drove 100 miles North along the Superior coast.. that may have been the highlight of the trip! Beautiful country and we stopped at 2 provincial parks and did some scouting out for next year :)

Straits State Park 7/27/07 -- 50th Anniversary of Mackinac Bridge

 
 
 

Straits State Park
St. Ignace, MI

I made these reservations in March and got a site near the beach.. for the 50th anniversary of the bridge. Nice site down near the lake. The 'beach' and water are rocky hear but beautiful clear water with the bridge so close you can almost touch it. The weather was great and went to the parade and fireworks. I really, really like this area and this is the first state park we ever stayed at and will always be one of my favorites.
Mitchell and I went up Friday afternoon and Amy and Morgan met us there Friday evening. On Sunday Amy dropped off Morgan at GS camp on her way home and Mitchell and I headed for the Soo!

Deep Lake 7/21/07

 
 
 

Deep Lake

Back to Deep Lake, my favorite campground! Was suppose to be just me for a weekend alone, but ended up with one child on each day, but we had fun. Did the hiking trail which has a 1/4 mile boardwalk through the swamp... very cool.. then goes into the sandy hills. This is my *favorite* park to hike in.. and I have not even gotten to all the trails. Went swimming in Gun Lake and for the first time tried out my solar shower.. not too bad!

Wilson 7/6/07

 
 
Wilson State Park
Harrison MI

I grew up in this area and have never been a fan of Harrison. My daughter needed to be dropped off at Girl Scout camp on Sunday and this was the closest place. I got a spot right on the lake.. there was a steep drop but you could see the lake from the camp site. You could also see the cars on the far side of the lake. I guess I could best describe this as a nice park with a horrible location. The sites near the road are ON THE ROAD.. no more than 20 feet and just a wire fence between them I have heard in the past that this campground has problems with items being stolen from campsites and I can see why. It is a shame this is right in town because it is a nice park with beautiful oak trees and a nice lake and beach.. but surrounded on all sides by traffic.
The beach building was built by the CCC in the late 30s.

Rifle River

 

 

 

 

Rifle River 6/29/07

Rifle River
Mio, MI

Wow.. another cool place.. the Lake is right by the campgrounds.. from the map it looked further away. Beautiful lake.. gets deep quickly but nice to swim in. Cool place to buy wood near by, it is a saw mill and these are the pine ends.. big bunch for $5. The park is huge and also has 2 or 3 rustic campgrounds.. lots of trails and some beautiful BIG old white pine trees.. some of the largest I have ever seen. Will definitely be back here!

Brevoort Lake 6/17/07

 

 

 

Brevoort Lake 6/17/07

Brevoort Lake, part of Hiawatha National Forest 6/17/07
Brevort/St Ignace

WOW! This place is great!!
We left N Higgins Lake early afternoon on Sunday and headed North. We geocached along the way and crossed the bridge in mid-afternoon. Headed West on US 2 for about 15 miles along the shore of Lake Michigan to Brevoort Lake.. it is about a mile or so back off the Highway.. and is a wonderful campground. The sites are HUGE.. there is a large area for camping.. and surrounded by woods.. look to the back of the site and you can see the lake through the woods.. walk through the short trail through the woods and you come to a beautiful sandy beach. The lake is nice for swimming and the kids had a ball playing in the sand. There is a general store at the campground with ice, wood, boat rentals and common items.. handy to have right there so you dont have to drive 15 miles into town.
There are lots of attractions in the area to check out also. In the 3 days we were there we checked out.. a Boat ride under the Mackinac Bridge, Cut River Gorge, pasties from Brevort (good warmed up over the campfire), North Country trails, Hiking trails by Foley NFCG that go along Lake Huron, Castle Rock.. and of course swimming in Lake Michigan. This was a great campground and we will certainly be back!

North Higgins 6/15/07

 

 

North Higgins 6/15/07

North Higgins

This was the beginning of our first UP trip. Went up to N Higgins on Friday morning. There was a Fly Fishing event at the RAM which is right next to the campground. I *really* like this park. Lots of pine trees which gives it a wooded but open look. The bathrooms were of an older style 60's? but well maintained and clean. There is a trail that goes down to the beach.. and WOW there is a l-o-n-g walkway that goes along the beach.. lots of picnic tables.. a large swimming area.. modern playground, bathrooms.. The water is amazing.. clear and beautiful. The lake is shallow and you can go out forever. There is wood nearby at a private individual.. ask the ranger for directions.
This park is in the top tier pricing wise ($27/night).. it was expensive as camping goes but a really great place. I would come here again and liked this one much better than S Higgins.

Sleepy Hollow